'antherozoid' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'antherozoidum', where the element 'anther-' (from Greek 'antherid-') referred to the male organ 'antheridium' and '-zoid' (from Greek 'zoidēs') meant 'resembling an animal'.

'antherozoid' changed from New Latin 'antherozoidum' (built from Greek roots) and eventually became the modern English word 'antherozoid' through adoption into scientific Latin and then English usage.

Initially it referred generally to animal-like reproductive cells produced in antheridia; over time it came to denote specifically the motile male gamete (spermatozoid) of certain plants, algae, and fungi.